January 27, 2026
Published by 
Foresight on January 27, 2026
Foresight on January 27, 2026Written By Jen Graziano, Licensed Funeral Director, Attorney, Founder: RememBar Collection People often look “outside” to find whatever it is they’re searching for. Whether outside of their living situation to find a new home, outside a relationship situation to find a new partner, or outside a business situation to find a new idea; there’s a human tendency to look outward. The irony is what we’re searching for is so often right in front of our eyes. On that note, let’s talk about our funeral home(s), not as business entities but rather, the brick and mortars, themselves. In our endless quest to offer something new, are we neglecting to look within to see how we can improve what we already have? We take for granted walking through our doors each day and going directly to our respective desk, office and chapels. […]
January 27, 2026
Published by 
Axel Jean-Francois on January 27, 2026
Axel Jean-Francois on January 27, 2026Based on mainstream 2026 forecasts, here’s what funeral professionals need to watch. Interest Rates and Business Borrowing in 2026 Let’s start with the big, invisible hand everyone’s felt but no one invited: the Federal Reserve. The Fed controls short-term interest rates by setting the “federal funds rate,” basically what banks charge each other to borrow money overnight. It’s not thrilling—but it drives everything from mortgage rates to commercial loans to your credit card APR. In 2026, that rate is projected by major banks and federal agencies to hover around 3.5–3.75%, down from the 2023 highs, but still miles above the near-zero era of the 2010s. For funeral homes, that means: higher payments on expansion loans, pricier lines of credit, and less room for error if calls dip. On a $1 million, 10‑year note, even a couple of percentage points equals […]
January 27, 2026
Published by 
Welton Hong on January 27, 2026
Welton Hong on January 27, 2026Written by Welton Hong The call came in at 2:17 a.m. A daughter had just lost her father and didn’t know where to turn. She searched “funeral home near me,” clicked on the first result, and landed on a website that looked professional — but offered little clarity. No hours. No indication of whether someone was available right now. No pricing guidance. Unsure and overwhelmed, she hit the back button and called the next funeral home on the list. That funeral home answered. This scenario plays out every day. Funeral home websites unintentionally fail the very families who need them most. In moments of grief, people are not browsing. They are seeking certainty, reassurance and immediate direction. A funeral home website should answer questions. When it lacks essential information, families do not wait. They move on. Here are six must-have […]
January 27, 2026
Published by 
Chris Cruger on January 27, 2026
Chris Cruger on January 27, 2026Personalization as the new advantage in 2026. Each January creates a natural pause – a moment to reset, refocus and reimagine what’s possible. For funeral home owners and cemetery operators, 2026 isn’t just another year on the calendar. It’s the start of a new era for the profession – one defined by personalization, differentiation and the courage to stand apart. Over the past two years, this column has explored various avenues of business. In January 2025, for example, I explored three pillars of success: self-awareness, proactive planning and strong culture. In November 2025, I urged you to build your 2026 strategic plan so that you could act with purpose and discipline at the start of the new year. Now, it’s time to take the next step. Strategy and awareness mean little without execution. And in 2026, execution will be measured […]
December 22, 2025
Published by 
Jared Tanke on December 22, 2025
Jared Tanke on December 22, 2025Marty Blackwood, age 75, had spent his life doing what few others could: running a small-town funeral home operation in the rural South nearly single-handedly. A lifelong servant of his community, Marty had built a reputation as both dependable and deeply personal in his care for families. Over the years he had expanded his single location into a three-rooftop business. Together his funeral homes served just over 100 families a year, a manageable volume for decades, but now the demands of middle-of-the-night calls and increasingly complex operations were wearing him down. Marty knew it was time to plan his exit. The challenge was understanding what his business was actually worth. One of his longtime advisors suggested a $2.5 million valuation, a number that sounded good, perhaps too good. The business produced about $300,000 in annual cash flow, meaning that figure […]